Hi love, I’m Ále.
Salachon relatives. I am Ále (AH-leh, she/her), the Earthen Mami.
I am a traditional afroindígena community BirthKeeper, artist, fur mama, auntie, ancestral healer & activist located on Medicine Creek Treaty Territory (Seattle, WA). I come from the Maya Ch’ortí, Lenca, and Garífuna/Garínagu Indigenous & Afroindigenous peoples of Honduras through my father’s side. I also carry Northwestern European heritage, namely German, Celtic & Norwegian.
I speak English, Spanish, & German and am currently learning Ch’ortí Mayan.
I have had dreams about pregnancy and birth for as long as I can remember. I have always been in awe of the raw, primal power and magic that is bringing life into this world. I knew I wanted to help empower other Womben to harness their inner Goddess throughout the journey of birth, but I had no idea what that actually looked like. I embarked on many different paths throughout my young life, but Birthwork remained in the background, never too far out of mind. As I continued to connect with my Maya heritage, working with rural Maya communities in Guatemala, and leaning further into my ancestral spirituality, the dreams and visions of engaging in this work grew ever stronger. After experiencing a near-death medical emergency at 24, I was forced to sit in my own thoughts and ideas of what I envisioned for myself in this lifetime. It was then that I fully accepted I had received the call to be an ajk’op ch’urkab’, a midwife, healer, BirthKeeper. Like many Indigenous cultures, we Mayas believe that this calling is something that chooses us, not the other way around. Surrendering to our destiny is one of the most daunting and fantastic things we can do. It is an honor to be called to receive the Sacred Gift and I accept it with tremendous responsibility and reverence. I have so much to learn and I am eager to embark on this journey of collective care and liberation with you.
As a multiracial Indigenous woman, I am deeply connected with my heritage and revel in the complexity and nuance that is my own history and lived experience. My mother is deeply spiritual and connected with Mother Nature, the power of womanhood, and trusting in our intuition and inner wisdom. I constantly learn so much from her. I was raised by both of my parents and relatives to be proud of my Maya ancestors and to know that I carry their legacy with me everywhere I go. The matriarchs of my family passed down traditional medicines and practices to me since I was a young child. Birthwork has been a part of my life my entire life. What I once took for granted I now cherish and strive to protect and honor. To be indígena is to truly love, honor, and protect my people and our planet, our Mother Earth. It is with joy that I offer myself and my gifts to empower fellow Indigenous and Black Womben & Birthing People in one of the most transformative experiences one can have.
If you are interested in my artwork, including custom intention & manifestation candles and beadwork, please visit Casa de Espie to learn more.
Ch’ajb’eyx, thank you!
Wisdom Building & Education
+ M.A. in Biology - Miami University Current student: Study focus on the intersections of Indigenous women’s reproductive health & rights, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, and radical decolonial conservation (rematriation)
+ B.S. in Biological Anthropology - Human Biology (Honors) with a minor in Primatology - University of Arizona (2021) Study focus on feminist primatology & the evolution of female human & nonhuman primate sexuality and reproduction
+ B.A. in German Studies (Honors) with a minor in Anthropology - University of Arizona (2021) Austauschjahr at Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg (2019-2020)
Certifications
+ Full-Spectrum Doula Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings (BADT) (In Process - Ongoing Fall 2024)
+ Full-Spectrum Lactation Educator Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings (BADT) (In Process - Ongoing Fall 2024)
+ Indigenous Postpartum Doula Center for Indigenous Midwifery & Raeanne Madison of the Postpartum Health Lodge (2024)
+ Adult & Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED Certified through the American Red Cross, valid through 07/22/2026
+ Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) through New Castle Training (Pending - October 2024)
A note on certification
As an Indigenous birthworker, I do not believe that certification is a necessary component to providing exceptional care. The western model of education is rooted in exclusion, white-supremacy, and harm against marginalized communities. Our traditional ways have been condemned and delegitimized. Education has been commodified and policed. I do not believe our sacred ancestral practices can nor should be made into a state-recognized certification. I also recognize that under current geopolitical conditions, some of us may need to pursue various forms of certification in order to provide care to our communities.
womb wisdom
womb wellness
matriz magia
Mentorship
+ Queer, Black & Brown Holistic Doula Mentee Lauryn Bell, Lo.holistics (2024-2025)
+ Community Herbalism School Montse Olmos, Mujer de la Tierra (2024-)
Wisdom Building
+ Mother of Midnight Vol. 2 Montse Olmos & Tecpaxōchitl, Mujer de la Tierra (Ongoing Fall 2024)
+ Crisis Response for Birth Workers Workshop Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings (BADT) & Project LETS
+ Abortion Doula Continuing Education Course Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings (BADT) (2024)
+ Full-Spectrum Doula Training Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings (BADT) (2024)
+ Full-Spectrum Lactation Educator Training Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings (BADT) (2024)
+ Cuidados Postparto: Práctica para doulas Center for Indigenous Midwifery (2024)
+ Latino-Centric Perinatal Care Training: Best Practices for Culturally Sensitive Care Coaching Salud Holistica (2024)
+ Nourishing Networks of Care Holistic Abortions (2024)
+ The Ceremony of Birth: Indigenous Childbirth Education Training Montse Olmos, Mujer de la Tierra (2024)
+ Indigenous Postpartum Doula Training Center for Indigenous Midwifery & Raeanne Madison of the Postpartum Health Lodge (2024)
+ Perinatal Mental Health for Indigenous Families Perinatal Support Washington (2024)
+ DONA-Approved Birth Skills Workshop Simkin Center for Allied Birth Vocations (2024)
Conferences & Conversations
+ Postpartum Pleasure Masterclass
Pānquetzani, Indigescuela (September 2024)
+ Somos Latine Families
(September–December 2024) Brazelton Touchpoints Center
+ Turtle Talk: Collectively Raising Indige-babies
(May–October 2024) Brazelton Touchpoints Center
+ Postpartum Healing Summit Pānquetzani, Indigescuela (August 2024)
+ Indigenous Milk Medicine Week (August 2024) Indigenous Milk Medicine Collective
+ Cerrando Caderas Challenge Pānquetzani, Indigescuela (May 2024)
+ Black Maternal Health Week Conference (April 2024) JUST Birth Network (Swedish)
A sweet t’zi’ taking a siesta at Lago de Atitlán (Earthen Mama, 2020)
Community Involvement
+ Postpartum Night (Overnight) Doula Let It Be Birth Perinatal Services, LLC (Independent Contractor)
+ Community Organizer & Collaborator Heartful Rootz
+ Xochiquetzal - Founding Member, Songcarrier & Teponāzoāni (Slit-Drum Player) Queer, Two-Spirit & Womban-Led Calpulli (Mesoamerican Danza Family) in partnership with Heartful Rootz